Human interface of a media playing device

Abstract

A method and device for selectively playing media files stored in a media playing device. The media playing device includes a first database for housing a plurality of media files, and a first and second menu. The first menu displays a plurality of media file identifiers, upon selection of one of the media file identifiers, the second menu is presented. The second menu contains a category list configured so as to present each category having a media file tagged with the selected media file identifier. The interface is operable to choose one of the categories from the category list and either play one media file, all the media files tagged with the media file identifier, or all the media files within the selected category.

1 . A method for selectively playing media files stored in a media playing device, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a media playing device having a first database populated with a plurality of predefined categories;   loading a plurality of media files into said first database, wherein each of said plurality of media files is tagged with a plurality of media file identifiers;   populating each of said plurality of predefined categories with at least one of said plurality of media files tagged so as to place each of said plurality of media file identifiers in a corresponding predefined category;   providing a search engine for locating each of said plurality of media files based upon said plurality of media file identifiers;   providing a first menu and a second menu,   providing an interface operable to navigate said first and second menu, wherein said first menu presents an identifier list, said identifier list having each of said plurality of media file identifiers, and said interface is operable to choose one of said media file identifiers;   choosing one of said plurality of media file identifiers from said identifier list;   presenting said second menu upon choosing one of said plurality of media file identifiers, wherein said second menu presents a category list, wherein said category list is generated so as to present each of said plurality of predefined categories populated with media files tagged with said chosen media file identifier, and said interface is operable selectively choose one of said plurality of predefined categories, and wherein said interface is operable to selectively play one media file within said selected predefined category, play each media file tagged with said selected media file identifier contained within said selected predefined category, or play all the media files contained within said selected predefined category.   
   
   
       2 . A method as set forth in  claim 1  including the step of grouping each of said plurality of media file identifiers into a plurality of media file groups. 
   
   
       3 . A method as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said first menu further includes a media file group list, said media file group list including each of said plurality of media file groups, and wherein said interface operable to selectively choose one of said media file groups from said media file group list, and wherein upon selection of one of said media file groups, said interface further operable to choose one of said media file identifiers from said chosen media file group. 
   
   
       4 . A method as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said interface is operable to selectively play at least one of said media files tagged with said chosen media file identifiers. 
   
   
       5 . A method as set forth in  claim 4  further including the step of creating a plurality of customizable categories, wherein said interface is operable to selectively populate each of said plurality of customizable categories with at least one of said plurality of media files, and each of said customizable categories is stored in said first database. 
   
   
       6 . A method as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said category is generated so as to also include each of said plurality of customizable categories populated with at least one media file tagged with said chosen media file identifier, and said interface if operable to select one of said plurality of customizable categories, and wherein said interface is operable to selectively play one media file within said selected customizable category, play each media file tagged with said selected media file identifier contained within said selected customizable category, or play all the media files contained within said selected customizable category. 
   
   
       7 . A method as set forth in  claim 6  wherein each of said plurality of predefined categories is selected from the group consisting of album title, artist name, year the media file was authored, playlist, and the location where the media file was authored. 
   
   
       8 . A method as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said media file identifier is selected from the group consisting of: an artist's name, the year the media file was authored, and the location where the media file was authored. 
   
   
       9 . A method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said interface is also operable to selectively play, from said category list, only said media files tagged with said chosen media file identifier. 
   
   
       10 . A media playing device for selectively playing a predetermined arrangement of media files comprising:
 a housing for containing various electrical components that provide computing operations for said media playing device;   a first database for storing a plurality of predefined categories, each of said plurality of predefined categories containing at least one media file, and each media file is tagged at least one media file identifier;   a first menu and a second menu, said first menu having an identifier list, said identifier list having each of said plurality of media file identifiers, and said second menu having a category list, said category list having each of said plurality of categories and being reconfigurable;   an interface operable to navigate said first and second menu, wherein said device initially provides said first menu and said interface is operable to choose one of said media file identifiers, wherein upon choosing one of said media file identifiers, said device presents said second menu, wherein said second menu presents said category list, and wherein said category list is generated so as to present each of said plurality of predefined categories and each of said plurality of customizable categories populated with media files tagged with said chosen media file identifier, and said interface is operable selectively play each of said plurality of predefined and customizable categories from said category list.   
   
   
       11 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 10  further including a port so as to allow media files to be down loaded into said first database. 
   
   
       12 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said interface is operable to create a plurality of customizable categories, and said interface is further operable to populate each of said plurality of customizable categories with any of said plurality of media files, and wherein each of said customizable categories is contained in said first database. 
   
   
       13 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said category list further includes each of said customizable categories, and said second menu presents said category list, and said category list is generated so as to also present each of said customizable categories populated with media files tagged with said chosen media file identifier. 
   
   
       14 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 13  wherein each of said plurality of predefined categories is selected from the group consisting of album title, artist name, year the media file was authored, customizable playlist, and the location where the media file was authored. 
   
   
       15 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said media file identifier is selected from the group consisting of album title, artist name, year the media file was authored, and the location where the media file was authored. 
   
   
       16 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 10  further including a display screen for displaying said first and second menu. 
   
   
       17 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said interface is a touch screen. 
   
   
       18 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said interface is a function pad. 
   
   
       19 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said first and second menu are presented in an audio transmission. 
   
   
       20 . A media playing device as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said interface is operable by voice command.